The development of of a new policy statement for the inland fisheries sector is a significant and complex undertaking which will take account of developments and challenges around conservation, protection, biodiversity, ecological and environmental issues over recent years. Significant progress has been made by my Department.
To date, draft preparatory policy/discussion documents have been prepared based on a range of themes including::
• Regulatory and policy framework.
• International and EU requirements.
• Review of secondary legislation.
• Fisheries Management.
• Sea angling.
• Review of salmonid management.
• Impacts of water quality and climate change.
• Impacts of aquaculture.
• Aquatic alien invasive species.
• Funding models.
Similar papers on additional themes will be progressed over the coming months. All of the theme-based draft papers will inform a single comprehensive draft policy statement for the whole sector. The intention is to submit the final draft policy for public consultation.